Jamaican wake...dead yard.

[rocknrollfarmer]

Hi. when we were to Negril, recently we were invited to Cynthia's wake { Mother of the guy who owns Best in the West}. Wife didn't go, but I did. Wow! Quite a celebration of Cynthia's life. I'm glad I went. Talking, and mingling with a few folks. Beers, rum punch, rice & chicken & Mannish water! Big speakers thrown up on top of a pickup truck, dancing... As I was listening to the {loud} music, it seemed to me to be contemporary up-tempo religious Jamaican music. I asked someone, if they ever play Bob Marley music, and she said "Noooo"! I guess I didn't ask her why. I think his music is very spiritual, and uplifting. So, if any of you "old-timers" {sorry} know of why the choice of music for a wake is the way it is. Share you thoughts with me. Thanks. Respect. One Love.

[rocknrollfarmer]

Oh yeah, I got in trouble with wifey. I told her I'd only be gone for 45 minutes or so. I was there for 3 hours! So, the next day.....guys, you know the rest... It's all good, now.

[Rob]

RRF,

The music selection is a person family choice as well as a religious one. I would assume she was not a Rasta, so playing Rasta music was probably not an appropriate selection at the wake.

[Accompong]

Hi. when we were to Negril, recently we were invited to Cynthia's wake { Mother of the guy who owns Best in the West}. Wife didn't go, but I did. Wow! Quite a celebration of Cynthia's life. I'm glad I went. Talking, and mingling with a few folks. Beers, rum punch, rice & chicken & Mannish water! Big speakers thrown up on top of a pickup truck, dancing... As I was listening to the {loud} music, it seemed to me to be contemporary up-tempo religious Jamaican music. I asked someone, if they ever play Bob Marley music, and she said "Noooo"! I guess I didn't ask her why. I think his music is very spiritual, and uplifting. So, if any of you "old-timers" {sorry} know of why the choice of music for a wake is the way it is. Share you thoughts with me. Thanks. Respect. One Love.

You have probably heard of "Redemption Songs", correct? Even though Bob Marley made a hit on "Redemption Song", it is a practice that goes much deeper spiritually. At my home in Accompong Town, the wakes go on sometimes for multiple days with spiritual redemption songs.
http://mobile.jamaica-gleaner.com/gl...8/ent/ent2.php
That link is to one example.

Peace and Guidance